How do i deal with little support, and much taunting as a vegetarian?

Question

the only people who support me are my parents. its terrible, because my aunts and uncles, grandparends, parents friends, my friends, etc., all tell me im going to die (which i know isnt true) and that it's a stupid decision. I always get "the line" ("but its dead anyways!'). Also, no one belives that i'll stay a vegetarian. god bless my parents for being so supportive, but how can i deal with being taunted almost every day?

Answer 1

Just tell people that you'd like to see them go out and kill the animal they're going to eat and that you couldn't do that so you choose not to eat animals.  Ask them if they've ever actually killed what they eat?

Some may have gone fishing, but I'm talking about every day.  

Tell them you don't eat anything with a face.

Also, if the same people are taunting you everyday - tell them it's getting old and why don't they leave you alone.

Also, there are alot of vegetarian foods that are considered "normal", like peanut butter and jelly

mac & cheese

vegetable pizza

spaghetti w/mushrooms

cold cereal with milk

pancakes

cheese & crackers

Answer 2

Just ignore them, I deal with that as well. I am not concerned what people think. Also once they start talking maybe you can give them handouts on your decisions to be a vegetarian. You can research all the great benefits. Once people started realizing what I was talking about made a lot of since they calmly hushed with their negative comments and started reconsidering what THEY ate! You can also buy some DVD on people who are raising there family as such and have your family watch it, I did and that definitely shut them up! My favorite family are the garden diet family http://thegardendiet.com/ Good Luck!

Answer 3

I get that kind of thing. I even get my friend to prove taht i'm NOT a veggie!!! She goes

"If you were faced with a life threatening decision between eating a steak or your leg which would you eat?"

"Then taht means your not a veggie cos veggies would rather eat themselves than an animal!"

Yeah! Because taht situations really gonna come up!

So i just ignore it because i know that i've done the right thing and if tehy don't accept that then tough because your not going to stop just because tehy don't approve.

Answer 4

GO VEGETARIANS!!! TELL UR STUPID PPL THAT I DID A LOT OF RESEARCH AND WE'RE N A DROUGHT!!!  and the more water we waste... is becuz of stupid meat eaters!!! it takes 200,000 gallons of water for meat and i gallon for a head of lettuce. (to keep alive) and they have a higher risk of dieing then we do. Your paret sseem very nice. But if your aunt and uncle disresepct you in anyway just shove it up their asses and be like yea well blah blah..... get some info on the internet and stuff  

Answer 5

Well you know that being vegetarian is such a healthy alternative to being a meat eater, right?!  Don't let the carnivores get you down.  And them telling you you're going to die is kind of humorous, because they're the ones at risk for premature diabetes and all kinds of fun cancers.  Buy the book Skinny B*tch, it'll help you through the trying times. :]

Also, on peta.org they have a lil podcast on how to deal with people like that.

Plus, you always have support here!

Answer 6

Just ignore them. The only person that still doesn't support me is my dad. And he is the person that you want your support otherwise don't want to be around. I am an athlete (i compete in nationals and worlds.) I am practicing most of the time and when i am home he bugs me, saying an athlete like you should not be on that kind of diet. Your gonna die. And stuff like that. But he never drops it. Tell them that you don't like them saying that stuff, and if they don't stop ignore them, and change the subject, maybe they will get the point.  

Answer 7

Trust me, I have the same problem also. People at school are always laughing and talking about me. They even talk about hunting when I'm around. I've learned to ignore it, and you should, too. Just think this: you are going to do wonders for the world, and you will be skinny and fit, while they die from being fat. That's what my motto is lol. Just don't listen to them. Good luck! =]

Answer 8

I'd suggest two ways.

First, don't rise to it; smile sweetly and say 'Really?' and carry on with whatever you're doing. Don't argue, don't reason with them - it'll drive them mad and they'll soon give up.

Don't reel off unsubstantiated and unproven arguments like 'meat causes cancer', don't try to convert them, don't get agitated.

Secondly, you said in another question that you eat mainly junk food and that you're unhealthy. If you eat more healthily and increase your general health you'll be showing them by example that a vegetarian diet can be healthy and that you're not going to die on them. As long as you're eating unhealthily, you're giving them ammunition.